Land Of Look Behind - Subversive Cinema

Title : Land Of Look Behind
Publisher : Subversive Cinema
Date : 1982 | 2007 DVD
Format Video : NTSC
Format Audio : English
Region : NTSC
Duration : 88:00 Mn
Director : Alan Greenberg


My friend Joseph Jurgensen did a review of it, years ago :

Video about reggae , not music video are very not commun
a friend wanted to share with me and eventually with the people who read the site
his point of view about a video not avaiable everywhere
so enjoy his review in the same way as i did

Named for the most wicked part of Jamaica "Land Of Look Behind" where
"If-Me-No-Call-You-No-Come and If-Me-No-Send-You-No-Come" shows a special
side of Jamaica that many have never seen before.

Produced and Directed by Alan Greenberg and Cinematography by Jorge
Schmidt-Reitwein "Land of Look Behind" started out as a documentary on the
funeral of Bob Marley but turned into much more than that.

The film takes the viewer inside the pulse and heartbeat of the working and ordinary
Jamaican. This is a look that tourist never see from the sandy beaches and resorts.
The film also focuses on the mourning of Bob Marley and how his people are dealing
with it days after the tragedy.

A farmer and Rasta opens up the movie. He explains the bad land of Cockpit
in the district know as Look Behind. He tells us how hard it is to survive
in this part of the island because no industry wants to come in and bring a
little money for the people. We are then brought to Jammy in his "Dreadroom"
where he gives thanks and praises and tells us why the city is no place to
live. "I & I can't absorb fresh energy in the city" Jammy explains. He then
goes outside to reason with some drummers while they start up a Nyahbingi chant.

The scene then switches to the initial reason for the documentary, the funeral of Bob Marley.
With great footage of people outside of the arena and footage of Skill Cole saying the customary
Twelve Tribes greeting inside of the arena, the footage is priceless.
There still needs to be a full length documentary released of the funeral.
But that aside Lui Lepke on stage singing his song to Bob is nice as is the video of Bob
being put into his encasement and his Mausoleum getting built brick by brick around him.
For those who have been to Nine Mile and have seen how it looks now, this early
footage is again priceless.

The movie then switches to another great man, Mutabaruka.(A very young looking Mutabaruka)
In his house up in the hills Mutabaruka recites some of his poems while sitting on a wicker couch.
It's great to get such an intimate look into this amazing performers life.
Throughout the whole film one gets a sense of how hard the struggle can be in Jamaica.
You can see it in the peoples faces and many times their faces shows the pain more than
their words can express it.

After Mutabaruka we catch up with the "Cool Ruler" himself Mr. Gregory Isaacs.
We are let inside of his office while he talks a bit and then we get just a taste of some
live Gregory. Still sounding good and doing his trademark steps, the live footage of him
is great to see.

The documentary ends where it began back in the Town of Quickstep in Cockpit in the district of Look
Behind. This is a very gripping movie that can be appreciated by anybody not just fans of reggae or Bob Marley.

The one major drawback is the availability of the film. It is extremely difficult to find
a new copy for sale and if you do the price may be high.
It is a film that deserves a DVD re-release and worldwide distribution.
But for now it is well worth the effort to search out a copy.

Joe J.



Additional Information And Comments:

- Thanks to Joseph Jurgensen